I have been becoming more and more disinchanted with Model Rialroader Magazine. I was wondering if I was the only one. Lately I have been finding the more I read, the less happy I am with it. Its like the Staff of Model Rialroader has been abducted and replaced by their evil step twins. Its been a while since I have ready anything from that magazine that shows off any model building skill at all. Those articles by the way were written by John Pryke. I feel that Mr. Pryke would be well advised to start writing for Railroad Model Craftsman as his work would be better appreciated there, and that Model Rialroader should change its name to "Ready to Run for Beginners Railroader" as their evil practices of making hype about all the new ready to roll equipment and touting layout construction tecneques that allows any Tony, Terry, or Andy to have a layout in operation by the end of an afternoon, and all they did was open bags and boxes, with the only real skill in the buying the lumber and screwing it together needs to be ashamed of them selvs for calling them modelers. This is something that the beginners segment calls for in December and January Issiues, Not the entire years press run. I am ashamed to admit that can not bring my self to buy any of the new Athearn, Walthers, or MDC rolling stock as it is now all ready to run.

This is the first time in five years that I didn't renew this Aug 1-03.

In the interim, I will go back to the public library.

I am pleased to present a guest posting for this forum. A topic very similar to this is presently running on the Yahoo "MILW modelers" forum. THe guest poster wrote a resonse who brought up several good points and thought they could also be shared here. It is with great pleasure I introudce Mr. Denny Anspach.

James

James Mitich comments on the current MODEL RAILROADER-

I reluctantly have to agree that the MODEL RAILROADER is not the magazine that it once was. It is currently less about modeling than it is about promoting model railroading as a hobby. This is reportedly why Andy Sperandeo (perhaps one of the most knowledgeable and expert railroad modelers that I have yet come across) was demoted
to Executive Editor, because Kalmbach felt that the long term health of the magazine depended upon them doing their utmost to promote new entry-level hobbyists entering the field. This change in direction required a different kind of editorial expertise.

I do read the MODEL RAILROADER, if only because it is still the prime venue for the advertising of old and new products, and announcements of new products. It is still by far the most influential publication in the model railroad industry. It is also almost the only source for those anticipating layout construction, or planning. There are occasional fine articles of prime interest, enough so far to keep me as a subscriber.

RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN continues to be ever stronger in its emphasis on actual modeling, and modeling from the prototype. The long authoritative series over the past two years on DCC by Don Fiehmann (sp?) is one of the best, and quite timely. I will be disappointed if the articles do not become published in one volume.

With continued reference to the super-important matter of DCC, the recent "all engines forward" push by MR into DCC 9actually long overdue) is being currently addressed by editors and writers that seem to have only "new secondhand knowledge" with no credible credentials- and true or not, that is too often how they sound.

In the same vein, in other subjects as well, I also have a too-often feeling that subject fundamentals being addressed in MR have been
learned just in the several hours prior to setting pen to paper. That may be unfair, or even untrue, but it is a distinct perception that continues.

These days I can commonly spend hours reading RMC, while the MR too often gets placed on the "already-read" pile sometimes after only 15 minutes.

MAINLINE MODELER is also excellent, but it is limited in its coverage by its low circulation and self-imposed advertising
restrictions. Particular strengths of MM are its high production values and its superb management of and preference for) the best of B&W photography.

MR is serving an important function- enticing and welcoming new members into the hobby. No one else is doing it. Apparently Kalmbach feels that the toll imposed by the current editorial management and direction upon the hobby's already-established base is a price they are willing to pay.

It is ironic that in the recent issue (September 2003) of Model Railroader there is a letter praising one of the illustrators for his maps. I suppose some people look at them and see how pretty they are, rather than look at them for information. The maps may be pretty, but they are not accurate, and accuracy is far more important.

For me, doing all the scenery is sufficient scratch building. If I had to put wheels on boxes I would probably not participate at all in the hobby.

I've observed before, there are railroad modelers and model railroaders. Almost all of the first are also the second, but not necessarily the reverse. It's just that different people have different starting points.

Thanks for responding. You bring up many valid points. However, what gets my gripe, is that Model Railroader went from purely being a general interest model railroad magazine with topics in most modeling areas a month to a general interest 'scale use what ever you don't have to build (I.E. Toy Train)' magazine. Gone are such features as Paint Shop, the monthly set of plans, and the one feature I liked but enjoyed a short life "One reader's opinion". All these articles catered to the section of the hobby that have been in the hobby a while and were not afraid to cut and hack things to get what they want, while leaving I beleave plenty of space to cater to other topics for those not as far along the model railroad mainline. It is failing to serve this segment, which I am proud to claim to be apart of, that leaves me reading Model Railroad with wanting more when I am done. I have been reading Model Railroader since I was a kid, and have several issiued dating back to before I was born (June 1979 being the oldest)and todays Model Railroader is pale by Comparison in some ways.

Again Ron I think you for posting your opinion, and stating very good points so that we may further this debate.

Sincerely